1981 Jaguar XJ12 HE
No Reserve

Registration No: VWR 432X
Chassis No: JBALW3CC326804
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied in the original colour scheme of Silver with a Dark Blue Vinyl Roof over a Dark Blue Leather interior
• Owned twice by the vendor having bought it back from his friend in 2015
• Running and driving but in need of minor TLC

Hailed by the contemporary motoring press as “the fastest full four-seater in the world” upon its July 1972 launch, the original XJ12 evolved through three series. The last of these arrived in April 1979 and saw the sleek silhouette that marque founder Sir William Lyons had penned revised by Pininfarina. As well as an airier glasshouse, the newcomer featured flush-fitting door handles, re-profiled tail lights (with integral reversing lights) and surprisingly elegant impact bumpers. Often compared to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, the Series III XJ12 was among the most accomplished luxury saloons of its generation. Noted for the refinement of its fabulously smooth 5343cc SOHC V12 and slick three-speed automatic gearbox, criticisms as to fuel economy were alleviated to some degree by the introduction of a new H.E. engine in 1981. Despite developing more power and torque (some 299bhp and 318lbft respectively) courtesy of its redesigned Michael May cylinder heads, this new High Efficiency unit was said to reduce fuel consumption by up to twenty-five per cent. Reputedly capable of sprinting to 60mph in 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 151mph, the Series III XJ12 was for many the last true bastion of pre-Ford Jaguar.

Elegantly finished in Silver with a Dark Blue Vinyl Roof and trimmed internally with a Dark Blue Leather interior, this desirable 12-cylinder variant of the XJ Series III was first registered in the Leeds area and is said to have been previously owned by a former CEO of The Kraft Heinz Company as his chauffeur driven gentleman’s express. Acquired from a deceased estate by the vendor, it has remained in his ownership since 2015 after previously selling it and then buying it back.

Today, the Jaguar is a handsome car that presents in very original condition, but due to lack of use the vendor acknowledges that it is time for it to be sold. Running well and driving around for the photography session, the big cat will need some TLC prior to using on the road, most notably of which is the power steering system. The vendor rates the car as having ‘good bodywork’ and is sure that when it is cleaned up the interior trim can be rated as ‘very good’ and certainly makes the indicated mileage of just under 70,000 miles very credible.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430